Leaving Ireland and putting down roots in America doesn’t mean that your heart ever left the green of Ireland and that’s exactly what has happened to Michael Benn and his family when they decided to start a modular housing factory in Galvone.
This proud Limerick family – firmly established in the New York construction industry – are the builders of 38 homes in Moyross and Southill for the Peter McVerry Trust. “Everything about me is Limerick,” says Michael Benn.
Michael is a partner in Clenn Construction founded by one of his sons, Patrick. Michael joined the army after school and then got involved in the building industry in New York.
So what brings this family business back to Ireland?
“We’ve all heard about the housing situation in Limerick and in Ireland. I said to Patrick, ‘This is crazy – the best carpenters come out of Ireland; how can there be such problems with housing?”
His son, Patrick, says making modular homes is a lot like how a car is built and is “50 to 60% faster than any other traditional builder”.
“It is all indoors so all the materials are kept out of the weather inside the factory so there are no weather delays on site. It is broken down into various specific individual tasks. You have a wall building station, a framing station, flooring station, sheeting, ceiling, electrical, plumbing, etc. You have your sparks (electricians) working at the same time as your chippies (carpenters). It is assembled inside the factory to at least 85% completion. Connection points and some other fixing points are left open.”
CLICK HERE to read the entire Limerick Leader story
Gary Fleisher is the Managing Director and contributor for Modcoach News and Modular Home Coach.
Email at [email protected]
